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“Not that I have any experience with having a lack of water myself,” he says. Allen lives in New Mexico, and though they have been in a drought, he can still turn on the tap and drink as much water as he wants.

“I’m very interested in providing water to kids and their families in undeveloped nations. It’s fundamental!” says Allen.

Allen’s life story didn’t intersect with the Seventh-day Adventist Church until about 10 years ago. It was about the same time that he heard about Maranatha. “I was galvanized to do something for the church, for the Seventh-day Adventist truth, and to save souls by putting roofs over the heads of believers in foreign countries,” he says. “It seemed important to their immortal lives.”

Today Allen has another passion. He wants to bring water to as many people as possible. “These kids walk three to four miles with empty fuel cans on their heads, with water that is essentially poison. It’s really hard to imagine.”

To fulfill his dream of helping those in need, Allen contacted the planned giving specialist at Maranatha. They created a Retained Life Estate plan that is a donation of his home, but it allows Allen to live in his home as long as he needs it.

Allen feels very satisfied knowing that his estate will help so many people. “I’ve been a very naughty boy much of my life,” he says mischievously. “I’m handing my home over, hoping the Lord looks upon it. I know He will build me a better one someday, in the countryside, with an apartment in New Jerusalem!”